(Big Tentacles is the SWRT look at the Big Ten and the schools it not-so-secretly covets.)
Spring forward. ESPN has the dates when Big Ten schools start spring practice and their individual spring games. (ESPN)
As Good As It Gets? Looking at the possibility that the Big Ten may never seen another winning Bowl season. (Off Tackle Empire)
Cold shoulder. Rich Rodriguez's treatment of former Michigan football players remains a sore spot to some former Wolverines. (AnnArbor.com)
Comfortably NUMB. A look at Northwestern fans' slant towards negativity from the child of two former members of the Northwestern University Marching Band (NUMB). (Lake the Posts)
Long Distance Voyager. Iowa had to travel farther than schools like Ohio State and Georgia to put together a recruiting class for 2011. (The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA))
Minnesota Twins. Twin brothers Kyle and Luke McAnoy are seen as key to Minnesota's hopes for a successful future in football. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Beck and call. Nebraska running backs coach Tim Beck might be a better choice for the Husker's new offensive coordinator than other splashier candidates like former Husker Scott Frost. (Big Red Today)
Nebraska is the most interesting team in the NCAA? I won't believe it until I see the photo with that Dos XX's guy in a Cornhusker uniform. (ESPN)
BASKETBALL
Bubble bursting. Michigan State and Penn State may have seen their chances of getting in the NCAA Tournament this year burst. (BT Powerhouse)
Always Look On The Bright Side of Life. Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor's not making the list for the Bob Cousy Award might actually help raise his profile in the country. (Bucky's 5th Quarter)
Misery loves company. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tells Michigan State head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo to "Hang in there." (ESPN)
No love for Gus Johnson. Don't expect Big Ten Network and CBS announcer Gus Johnson to call the Final Four anytime soon. Why? Because CBS hates America, that's why. (Lost Lettermen)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Uga VIII has joined his forefathers in the crypt in Sanford Stadium. And now the Bulldog Nation looks forward to the search for UGA IX in the way devoted Catholics follow the selection of a new Pope. But there is already is a candidate for role, and its one who has already made its mark on Georgia history - the bulldog puppy that Isaiah Crowell brought on stage when he announced his commitment to Georgia last week.
The puppy belongs to longtime Georgia fan Mike Woods, who claims that the puppy, named Magical Munson Woods, is descended from Uga VI (the last Uga to last more than a year). He reportedly has made to plans "to offer Magical Munson Woods to the Seilers (the family that owns the Uga Dynasty) and the school so he can serve as Uga IX."
Whether the Seilers have any inkling to take Woods offer up is unknown at the moment. The dog not being a direct descendant of Uga VIII may be a sticking point; although on the flip side, it has been mentioned by Dawg Sports' T. Kyle King that it "may help from a breeding standpoint."
(via Dawg Sports, The Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, GA))
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Covering Dixie Like Mildew is the SWRT roundup of SEC news, with the occasional pesky Southern school from another conference.)
Lighten up. A columnist tells Auburn and Alabama fans to chill out after streams of nastiness resulting from Cyrus Kouandjio comitting to Auburn. (The Gasden Times)
Headlining. Alabama's Nick Saban will be the headliner at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic. And no, Auburn's Gene Chizik won't be there. Nike seems to take Auburn's Under Armour deal a little personal. (al.com)
Time to Groh. Alabama hires former Louisville quarterbacks coach Mike Groh as its new wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. (RollTide.com)
The waiting is the hardest part. South Carolina fans are waiting to see if top prospect Jadeveon Clowney will choose between the Gamecocks and Clemson. (The Post and Courier (Charleston,SC)
Points of departure. Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson has withdrawn from classes for spring semester due to personal matters. Three other players have also left or have been dismissed from the football program. (GoVolsXtra)
Points of departure, part deux. Tennessee defensive line coach Chuck Smith is leaving Derek Dooley's coaching staff. (GoVolsXtra)
Cherry Bomb. Georgia head football coach calls the commitment of JUCO nose guard John Jenkins as "the cherry on top (of the recruiting class)." (Athens Banner Herald)
Mark Richt's new best Friend. Georgia has hired former UAB offensive lines coach Will Friend as its new offensive lines coach. (Athens Banner Herald)
Dawg hater. 680 the Fan radio personality and ChuckOliver.net contributor Chadd Scott levies heavy criticism on the Georgia program, and calls the Bulldog Nation's obsession over the late Uga VIII "bordering on absurd." Shut up, Chadd. (ChuckOliver.net)
BASKETBALL
Back in the Saddle Again. Tennessee head basketball coach Bruce Pearl returns to coaching the Vols in SEC conference play following his eight game suspension. Pearl's return is just in time for the Vols' road game against Kentucky. (GoVolsXtra)
Bubblicious. Alabama is starting to look like an on-the-bubble team for the NCAA Tournament. (Roll 'Bama Roll)
Freshman honors. Alabama guard Taylor Releford has been named SEC Freshman of the Week. (RollTide.com)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

It had to happen. Someone in Utah "wrote" a song about America's new mancrush, Jimmer Fredette of BYU. Well re-wrote the lyrics of a Bon Jovi song is more like it. Jon Carter, a DJ for Arrow 103.5 in Salt Lake City, UT (surprise! It's a classic rock station) and "group" called the Jimmer Jammers made a video for this little musical gem too.
The other "band members" of this group happen to be former BYU Cougar, uh, "greats" Shaun Bradley and Chad Lewis and former Cougar Coach LaVell Edwards. As if anybody couldn't tell this is just "Wanted Dead or Alive" without Jon Bon Jovi's vocal track in the first place.
No word from Jon Bon Jovi about this yet. He's apparently too busy buying a share of the Atlanta Falcons to comment.
(via SB Nation on Twitter, Deseret News, ESPN)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Some goober Auburn fan or fans decided to vandalize the area outside Bryant-Denny Stadium again. Seriously, Auburn fans? Do you really have things better to do with your lives than to pull stupid stunts like duct-taping Auburn shirts or sticking Auburn BCS championship decals on Bear Bryant's statue? Or spray-painting the ground with the score from last year's Iron Bowl?
Auburn fans had better hope that the NCAA never finds any real dirt on Cam Newton and his daddy. Otherwise the Auburn campus is going to be covered in spray-painted asterisks or something like that.
(via Loser With Socks, Friends of the Program)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

There's a billboard in near the University of Mississippi campus which is promoting the Colonel Reb Foundation, a group seeking to restore the maligned former Ole Miss mascot to his former glory. Inadvertently, it pretty much makes the case why the school got rid of him in the first place.
While the character being swatted away like a grand slam home run is obviously supposed to be a black bear, it does look more like like an old Southern white guy with a baseball bat whacking a stereotypical caricature of a black man. In trying to promote their cause to restore Colonel Reb, the Colonel Reb Foundation has instead given more ammunition for the anti-Colonel Reb cause. Which in the end, really isn't all that surprising.
Red Cup Rebellion pretty much sums this one up by saying "A fool and his money are soon parted."
On the plus side, Something Southern is getting lots of free publicity from this on the Internet. If you're in the area, check them out to help them soothe the embarrassment of being associated with these pro-Colonel Reb gooney birds.
(Via Sports By Brooks, Red Cup Rebellion)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Big Tentacles is the SWRT look at the Big Ten and the schools it not-so-secretly covets.)
Why is Herky Hawk wearing his Captain America costume from last Halloween? Maybe because he saw the commercial for the new Captain America movie during Super Bowl XLV. (Yahoo! Movies)
SUPER BOWL XLV RELATED STUFF
Why is Pat Angerer? Maybe because his fellow Iowa teammate and current Green Bay Packer Bryan Bulaga has a shiny new Super Bowl ring and he doesn't? (Albany Times Union)
Big Presence. Sixteen former Big Ten players and nine coaches ties to the conference took part in Super Bowl XLV as either a Green Bay Packer or Pittsburgh Steeler. That included Charles Woodson, Green Bay cornerback and former Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan. (Big Ten Conference official site)
BASKETBALL
Badgered. Michigan State falls to Wisconsin in a 82-56 whipping of the Spartans by the Badgers. (Detroit Free Press)
Fixing a Hole. The key to salvaging Michigan State's dismal season may lie in improvements on defense. (Detroit Free Press)
Bubblicious. Penn State is projected as a twelfth seen in the NCAA Tournament, putting the Nittany Lions in the "last four in" category. (BT Powerhouse)
Still hanging in there. Northwestern's slim hopes of making the NCAA Tournament stay alive with a win over Illinois on Saturday. (Lake the Posts)
FOOTBALL
Nine to the Combine. America's Quarterback, Ricky Stanzi, leads a group of nine former Iowa players (including himself) to the NFL Combine. It's the largest representation from any Big Ten school this year. (Black Heart Gold Pants)
I'm so 3008. You're so 2000-and-late. Comparing the projected 2011 Michigan squad to that of the one Rich Rodriguez in his first year as head football coach in 2008. (MGoBlog)
Family Forcier Five. Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier is looking at Kansas State, Miami, Washington, Arizona, and Montana as the possibilities where he will tranfer to. (Just Sports & Just Us)
Kudos for Bob Griese. Hammer & Rails continues its excellent series on great Purdue alums by profiling former Boilermaker QB legend Bob Griese, who announced his retirement from the broadcast booth last week. (Hammer & Rails)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Covering Dixie Like Mildew is the SWRT roundup of SEC news, with the occasional pesky Southern school from another conference.)
Signing Day, bonus round edition. Alabama wins the recruiting battle for offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio over Auburn. (al.com)
Signing Day, bonus round edition, part deux. JUCO player John Jenkins chooses Georgia over Florida. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Signing Day, the early years. Looking back at a recruiting trip with legendary Tennessee head football coach Johnny Majors. (Go Vols Xtra)
More Kiffin era trouble for Tennessee. Ivan Maisel reports that the NCAA is investigating former Tennessee assistant coach Ed Orgeron's conduct during his time in Knoxville. (ESPN)
Seven Gators combining. Mike Pouncey and seven other former Florida players will take part in the NFL Combine. (Orlando Sentinel)
Holding the line. South Carolina won't cash in on it's SEC East champion status by raising ticket prices. (WIS)
Gone too soon. A look at the all too brief reign of Uga VIII. (isportsweb)
BASKETBALL
No more Jonesin'. Tony Jones period filling for the suspended Bruce Pearl for SEC conference games ends with an overtime 65-60 loss to Alabama. (Go Vols Xtra)
Chomped. Florida knocks off no. 10 Kentucky 70-68. (Orlando Sentinel)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Beware, Phil Simms bears more grudges than lonely high court judges. Especially about his kids. Simms, once infamously told Steve Young to "lay off" criticizing older son Chris Simms. Now he's reported into getting into an altercation over NFL legend Desmond Howard for comments over his younger son, Matt Simms at the NFL Experience in Dallas.
Howard has referred to Matt Sims, a quarterback at Tennessee as one of the three worst quarterbacks in the SEC. Simms took umbridge at this, and confronted Howard over the comments. Howard claimed on Twitter that Simms had threatened him, and had to be stopped by the police from getting into a physical altercation with him.
Simms has issued a statement that says the incident was "a private conversation that became heated," but did not believed the incident required police intervention.
Whatever happened, Matt Simms was horrible as a starting QB at Tennessee, and eventually lost his starting job to he-of-the-world's-most-embarrassing-back-tattoo, Tyler Bray.
(via Sports by Brooks, Dr. Saturday)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

BYU's Jimmer Fredette has overnight become college basketball's newest mancrush. So naturally, some enterprising capitalist is trying to make a buck on this. Steve Theobald has come up with a "You Got Jimmere'd" t-shirt, which tries to make a verb out of what is possibly the whitest nickname on record. (With the possible exception of Matty Ice)
Sadly for Mr. Theobald BYU is already sicing its lawyers on him. They're sending cease and desist letters to him, since NCAA rules forbid such exploitation. I guess he'll have to wait until the end of the season (after the senior Fredette's eligibility has run out) to sell these goodies.
(via Deseret News)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Unquiet on the Western Front is SWRT's look at the Pac-12, WAC, Mountain West, and other West Coast/Rocky Mountain schools extravaganza.)
Un-Setoed? Former USC assistant coach Rocky Seto has reportedly been removed from consideration as defense coordinator at UCLA. This seems to make a lot of Bruins fans happy. (Bruins Nation)
Lawn day's journey into night. Arizona State fans will be losing Sparky's Lawn, a popular tailgating spot, to a strip mall. (House of Sparky)
Beginner's Luck? The first Stanford recruiting class under new head football coach David Shaw was ranked 20th in the nation. (San Jose Mercury News)
I want a cowboy! California has reportedly hired Wyoming offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo to be its new QB coach. (California Golden Blogs)
"What's Missing from the Most Important Recruiting Class in USC History?" A head football coach with ethics, maybe? (Neon Tommy)
30 for 30? Boise State could end up signing around thirty players in 2012, due to the Broncos' having 26 seniors on the 2011 squad. (Idaho Statesman)
BASKETBALL
The Jimmer Fredette Manlove Train rolls on. ESPN College GameDay will have a feature on the BYU senastion that has swept the nation Saturday morning. (The Post-Star)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Not a lot today, Big Ten-wise; but here's a little something-something to get you over.
Same as it ever was. Ohio State defeats Michigan 62-53. (Detroit Free Press)
Highway to the Danger Zone. Northwestern prepares to face Illinois at home at a time where the Wildcats' chances of making the NCAA Tournament are hanging by a thread. (Lake the Posts)
Highway to the Danger Zone, part deux. Michigan State stares at the possibility of not making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. (Detroit Free Press)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

The University of Georgia has announced that Uga VIII passed away on Friday following a brief battle with lymphoma.
Condolences to the Bulldog Nation, and to the Seiler family, who have owned the Uga Dynasty of bulldog mascots since 1956.
(via GeorgiaBulldogs.com)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Okay, maybe Linceum got a buzzcut. Or maybe he's going old school Bono with his hair in a slicked-down ponytail (like men's hair expert Tony Reali suggested). Either way, I haven't seen a look on somebody's face like that since Julian (Robert Downey Jr.) was caught working as a male prostitute in Less Than Zero.
(via SB Nation on Twitter)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Covering Dixie Like Mildew is the SWRT roundup of SEC news, with the occasional pesky Southern school from another conference.)
Saban vs. Miles. Will Nick Saban vs. Les Miles could become college football's next great coaching rivalry? Well, maybe not. There's that 'Bama vs. Auburn thing bigger than either one of the coaches put together. Plus, there's no guarantee either one of the two will be around in five years. (Rivals.com)
No sense of humor. Somebody in the SEC got hot and bothered over the web-cam Alabama put in front of the FAX machine, complete with ladies to post what recruits signed letters of intent to 'Bama. They probably got mad because they didn't think of it first. (Deadspin)
Hammer to Fall? The NCAA may be ready to cite Tennessee for violations occurring during Lane Kiffin's brief term at the Vols' head football coach. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Instant Karma. Recruits who signed letters of intent to Tennessee on Wednesday can probably expect to see some playing time in 2011. (Go Vols Xtra)
You've Got a Friend In Me. Georgia may be looking at hiring UAB's Will Friend as its new offensive line coach. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
On the other hand, Georgia inside linebackers coach Warren Belin is leaving to become an assistant defensive lines coach for the Carolina Panthers. (ChuckOliver.net)
Next Position Please. Georgia is looking at moving rising senior Bruce Figgins from tight end to fullback for the 2011 season. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Big plans. UAB is looking at building a new stadium on campus. (al.com)
OOPS! Someone on The Ed Sullivan Show screwed up and thought Steve Spurrier was Syracuse's Floyd Little. (Dr. Saturday)
BASKETBALL
I ain't missing you at all. Tennessee is doing quite well without Bruce Pearl in SEC conference play. (Go Vols Xtra)
Disappearing act. Mississippi State senior guard Ravern Johnson's Twitter account vanished (almost) without a trace after he tweeted some apparent critical comments about Miss. St. head basketball coach Rick Stansbury. (The Dagger)
No so coincidentally, Stansbury has now banned Mississippi State basketball players from Twitter. (The Huffington Post)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles